Life after Newcastle United isn’t always easy for young professionals who don’t end up earning a future at St James’ Park.

Some drift off the radar all together, some find clubs in the lower leagues, while others head abroad to earn a living.

And a fair portion of players released from Newcastle are plying their trade in non-league circles, many in the Northern League.

In the past 10 years the likes of Ryan Donaldson and Conor Newton have ended up being regulars for Cambridge United.

James Marwood, now back at Gateshead, won a stint in the SPL with St Mirren.

And more recently Adam Campbell, who didn’t appear to be loaned out quick enough by United, is now playing for Notts County in League Two.

However, for many youngsters, who don’t know anything but football, the show must go on.

When Newcastle reached the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup back in 2006 the likes of Tim Krul, Fraser Forster and Andy Carroll all played their part.

But, like every generation of young players, they didn’t all make it to the top level.

When the Premier League kicked off back in 1992 and its first few seasons resulted in an influx of foreign players, many predicted it would affect the national team and definitely means that players still blessed with plenty of ability would end up plying their trade outside the top four divisions.

Only last week, Steve McClaren stated that United would be scouring the non-league and grassroots scene to ensure that Tyneside’s talented youngsters don’t slip the net.

Newcastle Benfield in action against Shildon

Given the Magpies have ended up paying for stars brought up on their doorstep like Alan Shearer and Peter Beardsley in years gone by, history indicates that good players do get missed.

Jamie Vardy is also a burning example to the rest of the Premier League that bargains are out there but to English players still playing in non-league circles, he is an inspiration.

Former United Academy product Mark Doninger, who has played in Iceland’s top flight and had stints at Blyth Spartans, Sligo Rovers and now Shildon told the Chronicle: “The fact that you see James Vardy doing so well in the Premier League only inspires you too keep going and shows you anything is possible.

“It’s tough, especially in England as the influx of foreign players is huge so that means moving abroad is an option.

“Quite a few lads have had to take that option.

“I spent three years playing Iceland and then moved to Australia.”

However, for now Doninger, signed as a kid by Bobby Robson at the Academy, has found a home in the Northern League with ambitious Shildon.

So far this season he has netted an impressive 20 goals from 14 games from midfield.

He said: “Shildon is a great team and club to be playing at and the set up is quality.

“The team is full of very good footballers, who, if they wanted, could probably play at a higher level.

“With 98 per cent of the players working this sometimes becomes an obstacle for the lads.”

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Doninger has been scouted by Football League outfit Fleetwood Town this season while National League promotion hopefuls Dover Athletic are also interested in the player.

When asked what his future held, Doninger said: “Obviously with me being 25 now I’m coming to that age now where I feel it’s now or never.

“If you ask any football player they will want to play at the highest level possible and better themselves.

“If I keep scoring, playing well and Shildon keep winning then who knows?”